21 September 2012

US Agrees to Sell 8 AH-64D to Indonesia

21 September 2012

Boeing AH-64D Apache (photo : Militaryphotos)

US Agrees to Sell Indonesia 8 Apache Helicopters

(Reuters) - The United States
said on Thursday it will sell Indonesia
eight AH-64/D Apache helicopters to strengthen security ties with the largest
country in Southeast Asia and the world's most
populous Muslim-majority nation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking during a
meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in Washington, said Congress had been notified
of the intent to sell the aircraft.

"This agreement will strengthen our comprehensive
partnership and help enhance security across the region," Clinton said.

President Barack Obama's administration has sought to
buttress defense ties with Indonesia
as it refocuses its attention toward the Asia-Pacific following long years of
war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The United States
has stepped up military cooperation with traditional allies such as the Philippines and Australia,
and joined regional efforts to press China
to accept a multilateral framework for solving flaring territorial disputes in
the South China Sea.

Clinton
did not reveal an estimated cost for the Apache deal, which Indonesian media
have reported has been in the works for months. The attack helicopters, used by
militaries around the world, are made by Boeing.

The United States
last year announced it was giving Indonesia
two dozen second-hand F-16 fighter planes, with Jakarta covering the estimated $750 million
needed to refurbish the late-model fighters and overhaul their engines.

U.S.
officials say the delivery of U.S.
hardware will improve cooperation and information-sharing between the U.S. and
Indonesian militaries as they face common security threats.

The announcement of the helicopter sale came as Clinton and Natalegawa
wound up the third regular U.S.-Indonesia joint commission meeting, with both
saying that ties between the two countries had grown stronger.

Clinton, who visited Indonesia
this month as part of an Asia-Pacific tour, said trade topped $26 billion last
year and that the United
States would invest $600 million over the next
five years in Indonesian clean energy development, child health and nutrition
programs and government transparency initiatives under its Millennium Challenge
aid program.

Indonesia
has been among the nations hit by violent anti-American protests over the past
week to protest against a U.S.-made video seen as critical of Islam.

Clinton said that the United States
had decided to temporarily close its diplomatic facilities in the country on
Friday in case further protests erupt. But she praised Jakarta for its response to the crisis.

"We are very grateful for not only the cooperation and
the protection that has been provided to our facilities, but also for the
strong statements condemning violence," Clinton said.